Attackers impersonate popular AI brands to spread malware

Sophos X-Ops found that attackers are impersonating AI brands such as Perplexity, Claude, ChatGPT, and Copilot to distribute information stealers, backdoors, and malicious browser extensions. In a review of 86 managed detection and response cases from July 2, 2025 to June 29, 2026, 34 were confirmed as malicious activity involving AI.

Attackers are impersonating popular AI brands like Perplexity, Claude, ChatGPT, and Copilot to spread information stealers, backdoors, malicious browser extensions, and other malware, according to Sophos. Overview of MDR cases with AI involvement Source: Sophos Sophos X-Ops reviewed 12 months of managed detection and response cases, covering July 2, 2025 through June 29, 2026. Of 86 cases initially tagged for AI involvement, 34 were confirmed as malicious activity involving AI. Researchers added four cases uncovered … More https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/08/21/ai-brand-impersonation-malware-malware-research/ The post Attackers impersonate popular AI brands to spread malware https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2026/08/21/ai-brand-impersonation-malware-malware-research/ appeared first on Help Net Security https://www.helpnetsecurity.com .